Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 6, 37-40
Jesus said to the crowds:
“Everything that the Father gives me will come to me,
and I will not reject anyone who comes to me,
because I came down from heaven not to do my own will
but the will of the one who sent me.
And this is the will of the one who sent me,
that I should not lose anything of what he gave me,
but that I should raise it on the last day.
For this is the will of my Father,
that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him
may have eternal life,
and I shall raise him on the last day.”
Church Militant, Church Penitent and Church Triumphant
The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that there are “three states of the Church”. Traditionally these three states have been referred to as the Church Militant, Church Penitent (also known as Church Suffering or Church Expectant) and Church Triumphant. Together, these three make up the Communion of Saints we confess in the Creed.
1. Church Triumphant refers to what we celebrated yesterday, that is to say, to those who enjoy the presence of God and are souls that rejoice in Heaven; they are in glory, contemplating ‘in full light, God Himself triune and one, exactly as He is’ (CCC, #954). They are the saints known by the Church as well as those saints known only to God.
2. Church Penitent is what we celebrate today. I’m referring to those who have died and are being purified. That’s why we pray for those who are purging their sins and need our prayers and mass in order to receive help to be purified and be able to contemplate God in Heaven. If you visit the cemetery today you earn indulgences, and we help the souls in Purgatory.
3. Church Militant refers The Church as it exists on earth; I’m referring to those of us who are pilgrims on earth. What you do on earth has divine impact or resonance. It is important to be a good person and fight to reach our goal, not harming anyone and not complicating other people’s life. Selfishness and arrogance are two aspects that complicate life significantly. It is up to you to have a generous and open heart. Life is short, but it is also a privilege to live it. It is more plentiful if we help others, so keep on doing good deeds daily, even though you might believe that bad people have it better. Let your life be an accomplishment everyone can be proud of, loving God and doing your best every day.
Remember that something good is on the way!
May God Almighty bless you, be with you and protect you in the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.
Prayer when visiting the cemetery
Father in heaven, as we stand before the resting place of our beloved (name of person), we remember the gift they were and continue to be to each of us here present. We thank you for their life, the love they shared with us and we pray that they are with you now, enjoying the fullness of eternal life. Through your infinite love and mercy, graciously grant to the soul of your servant departed the remission of all their sins and let them attain everlasting rest and happiness through the infinite merits of Jesus Christ.
Comfort us in our sadness, strengthen us with your hope, until we are united with them again in the love of Christ and we are with you and our loved one forever.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen
How you can offer a plenary indulgence for the souls in purgatory from November 1 to 8
Every November, the Church gives the faithful the opportunity to offer a plenary indulgence for the souls in purgatory. This means we can release souls from their temporal punishment in purgatory so they can immediately go to heaven!
It is possible for the person offering the indulgence to release one soul from purgatory per day during this time period (November 1-8).
To obtain an indulgence, the following conditions must be fulfilled:
- Visit a cemetery or cinerarium.
- Sacramental confession and holy Communion
- Pray the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary, the Glory Be and the Apostles Creed
- Prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father (Our Father and Hail Mary are suggested)
